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gen con

Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America, has announced a year of continued growth in attendance, exhibiting companies, and ticketed events at its 2019 convention in Indianapolis, IN, held in the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, and surrounding downtown hotels from August 1-4, 2019.

The annual four-day event, which has more than doubled in size since moving to Indianapolis in 2003, sold more 4-Day and Sunday badges than in any prior year, and featured nearly 70,000 unique attendees, a record-breaking 538 exhibiting companies, and an all-time-high 19,600 ticketed events. In 2019, Gen Con also grew its livestreaming program, increased the number of electronically ticketed events, and expanded its reach with Pop-Up Gen Con, a pilot program which activated satellite events in more than 40 game stores across the U.S. concurrently with the main convention in Indianapolis.

After a successful launch at Gen Con 2018, the convention’s livestreaming efforts expanded in 2019, attracting 6,900 unique viewers at peak and a combined watch time of over 3 million minutes. Content streamed live from the Indiana Convention Center included live gaming, Main Stage events, interviews, demonstrations by game publishers, and footage of the convention experience. Gen Con’s year-round livestreaming program, Gen Con TV, continues to grow, and Gen Con will produce additional shows broadcast weekly throughout the year.

Of the 19,600 individually ticketed events in the Gen Con 2019 event schedule, representing a comprehensive range of tabletop gaming genres and geek culture events, over 2,000 were electronically ticketed — twice as many as 2018. Organizers of e-ticketed events used the Official Gen Con Mobile App (released for public use for the first time this year) to scan attendee badges to confirm their participation.

The convention results in a local economic impact of nearly $70 million. Gen Con has redoubled its focus on sustainability, with 100% of show signage printed on recycled materials and the use of reusable concession cups.

This year, Gen Con took several measures to cut down on waste and reduce the ecological impact of The Best Four Days in Gaming. In addition to recyclable show signage, 27,000 sq. ft. of vinyl table coverings were replaced by linens and recyclable paper.Gen Con’s partnership with r.Cup, a reusable cup service, replaced disposable cups in all concession stands with durable reusable cups, resulting in the prevention of 24,000 cups ending up in a landfill this year.

In the pilot year of Pop-Up Gen Con, a new retail initiative expanding the Gen Con experience to local game stores, satellite retail activations occurred at 42 stores across the United States and two stores in the United Kingdom. Over 1,300 gaming fans flocked to participating game stores to play demo copies of new games released at Gen Con and gather with their local gaming community. Many participating stores featured livestreamed video from Gen Con in Indianapolis, and some enhanced the in-store experience with other events and promotions. The program plans to expand in the future to include additional stores nationally and internationally.

Gen Con 2019 attendees helped to raise over $35,000 for the convention’s 2019 Charity Partners, Game To Grow, and Special Olympics Indiana. Gen Con has raised over $335,000 for charity since 2003. In a first partnership with Make-A-Wish®, Gen Con brought 13-year-old Drake Kiderlen of Troy, MO, who is battling a pineal parenchymal tumor, on an all-expenses-paid trip with members of his family to Gen Con 2019, where his wish of attending the convention, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and learning about new board games was granted.

We haven’t had a chance to play Marvel: Crisis Protocolminiatures game at Gen Con 2019 yet. We did get a chance to see the various game boards and miniatures on display for the highly anticipated game. Check out below for what was on display including many of the miniatures coming out for the game.

Face off in the Ultimate Pop! Battle in Funko’s new light strategy games that combine your favorite characters and go head-to-head in exciting game scenarios in the most memorable locations of your favorite licenses!

In DC 101 combine additional characters in 4 additional game scenarios in memorable locations like Arkham Asylum or Catwoman’s Penthouse with Catwoman™ and Robin™. Play as a stand-alone or mix with other DC Funkoverse games!

In Harry Potter 100 move through 4 exciting game scenarios and move through locations such as Diagon Alley or Room of Requirement with Lord Voldemort™, Bellatrix Lestrange™, Hermione Granger™, and Harry Potter™.

In Harry Potter 101, move through 4 exciting game scenarios in memorable locations like Forbidden Forest and the Potions Classroom with Draco Malfoy™ and Ron Weasley™. Play as a stand-alone or mix with other Harry Potter Funkoverse games!

Gaming industry veteran Cory Jones has announced the creation of tabletop gaming subscription service QST and the launch of the QST Kickstarter campaign. Pronounced “Quest,” the service offers a brand-new, small form factor tabletop game directly to subscribers every other month. Each game is a collaboration between three creative visionaries from different fields who work together to deliver the different elements of the game: concept, design, and art.

We got a chance to talk to Jones at Gen Con 50 about this new venture and bringing together so many different creators to such a product.

Why does this matter for a comic site? Numerous comic creators have been announced as part of the first wave of creators involved and it’s an amazing list. If you’re into comics and games, this is a must.

The United States Playing Card Company has launched a new tabletop game studio. Their first game, Nailed It! is being previewed at this week’s historic Gen Con, which celebrates the conventions 50th birthday! The United States Playing Card Company is the company behind Bicycle Playing Cards.

The mission of this new publishing arm is to serve as a cutting edge game development lab, teaming up with creators who have a keen understanding of what modern tabletop players are looking for in terms of unique game design, artwork and quality. Games brought to market under the Bicycle Games brand will emphasize entertaining face-to-face social engagement in the adult party, party, and light strategy categories. In keeping with the rich heritage of Bicycle cards, games produced will feature superior quality, artfully designed components and be primarily manufactured in the United States.

Attendees at Gen Con will be able to preview Nailed It!, the first game to be launched under the Bicycle Games brand. This adult party game invites players to create their funniest, most outrageous stories related to over 56 different stereotypes, everything from a Cat Lady and Conspiracy Theorist to a Surfer Dude and Trust Fund Baby. Players are dealt hands of category cards with one player serving as judge for a single round. The judge rolls the oversized foam die to determine a category – like Location, Food, Clothing or Ailment – then flips over a stereotype
card. Each player then gets a chance to say why a category item in their hand is the best fit for that stereotype using the funniest, most logical, simplest or most complex story they can come up with on the spot. The judge picks his or her favorite and awards the winner of the round that stereotype card. Drop the Hammer cards appear at random and can change the outcome of a round.

Easy to learn, with game play lasting 30-40 minutes, Nailed It! will also be available to playtest throughout Gen Con at locations near the convention center, including bars, hotels and several game stores including Good Games (111 S. Meridian St.), Game Paradise (1110 Prospect St.) and Downtown Comics (11 E. Market St.). The game will be available for purchase starting in November 2017.

Oni Press is heading to the 50th Annual Gen Con! All weekend long, Oni Press is debuting a plethora of exciting new variants, merchandise, and convention exclusives. Additionally, throughout the weekend, Oni Press will host several Dead of Winter and Rick and Morty comic creator signings for their fans.

This year’s gathering is being held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN, on Thursday, August 17 through Sunday, August 20. Fans can find Oni Press at booth #2520.

ONI PRESS EXCLUSIVES:

*Limited quantities available. No holds on items.

Dead of Winter #1by Kyle Starks and Gabo

Game Token Variant
Cover illustrated by game artist Fernanda Suarez

Price: $10
This limited edition Dead of Winter #1 variant contains the exclusive character game token of Ruckus Burley from the comic book series for the Dead of Winter tabletop game!

AVAILABLE AT ONI PRESS BOOTH #2520 AND PLAID HAT GAMES BOOTH #1537

SCOTT PILGRIM‘S PRECIOUS LITTLE CARD GAME

Oni Press/Renegade Game Studios Exclusive Variant

Price: $50

Features limited edition box art, available at the Oni Press booth #2520 and Renegade Game Studios booth #2211!

Kyle Starks and Gabo will be signing every morning at Plaid Hat Games’ booth #1537 in support of Dead of Winter #1, and Plaid Hat Games’ new Warring Colonies expansion for the Dead of Winter board game. Kyle Starks and Gabo will also be signing and appearing at the Oni Press booth #2520 throughout the rest of the convention.

Gen Con is not too far in the future with the “best four days of gaming” taking place August 17 to August 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Knight Models has revealed a convention exclusive… Bat-Mite which will be playable in both their DC Universe Miniature Game and Batman Miniature Game.

The strictly limited edition miniature will only be available at Gen Con 2017, so get it while it’s hot! The game company hasn’t yet said which booths will be selling the figure.

Gen Con has announced a sellout of 4-Day badges for Gen Con 50, its historic 50th convention to be held August 17-20. Sales of single-day badges (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Family Fun) will continue, though supplies are limited. The company urges those interested in attending to purchase these badges soon, as single-day badges also are expected to reach a sellout.

Due to these expected sellouts, Gen Con will not offer on-site badge sales at Gen Con 50. Any remaining attendee-type badges will be available for sale with will call pick-up. As in prior years, Gen Con will offer 24-hour will call, starting at noon on Wednesday, August 16 and staying open throughout the entire convention. The will call area also will expand to expedite the packet pick-up process.

Family Fun Day, held on Sunday, August 20, allows a family of four to attend for $45. Children ages 8-and-under are free to attend any day of Gen Con with a child wristband.

Gen Con has capped Trade Day and some individual badge types previously in Indianapolis, but has never limited its 4-Day or single-day badge sales.

Gen Con 50 will take place August 17-20, 2017 in the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, and participating hotels. The convention will feature more than 500 exhibitors, more than 19,000 events, and an exclusive concert from Grammy Award-winning recording artist They Might Be Giants.

Gen Con will begin to cap 2017 badge sales if current trends hold. The company recommends that interested attendees purchase 4-Day and Single Day badges soon to guarantee entry to Gen Con 50. Those interested can purchase badges at gencon.com while supplies last.

The convention will be the largest convention in its 50-year history. The move to cap badge sales is in hopes of providing the best experience for attendees. The convention has capped Trade Day and other individual badge types previously in Indianapolis, but has never limited 4-Day or Single Day badge sales.

This is the convention’s 15th year being hosted in Indy. With record-setting attendance and continued expansion into Lucas Oil Stadium, this year’s show will surely surpass last year’s $71 million in economic impact for Central Indiana.

Gen Con 50 takes place August 17-20, 2017 in the Indiana Convention Center, at Lucas Oil Stadium, and at participating hotels. The convention will feature more than 500 exhibitors, more than 17,000 events, and an exclusive concert from Grammy-winning recording artist They Might Be Giants.

Gen Con is increasing its 2017 presence within Lucas Oil Stadium (LOS), adding exhibition and event space to the same play field used by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. To commemorate 2017’s historic Gen Con 50, the convention will create a showcase area on the LOS field that honors the first Gen Con, held in the 1967. In this space, attendees will get to see gaming artifacts and tributes to the early Gen Con events, including a homage construction of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin’s Horticultural Hall.

As part of this new space agreement, Gen Con’s already large games library space will relocate from the Indiana Convention Center, expanding further in its new location on the LOS field. Game companies such as Co-Sponsor Mayfair Games, Twilight Creations, WizKids Games, and numerous event organizers will host activities in this new space. True Dungeon and Anime & Animation events will return to Lucas Oil Stadium. Free-to-play Kids’ events will have a dedicated space, as well. Further event details will become available in May.

Badges are currently available and registration for ticketed events, including those held at Lucas Oil Stadium, will begin on May 28 at noon (Eastern).

If you’ve never participated before, this naming contest will determine the Official Beer name for the brew created in collaboration with Gen Con and its Promotional Partner, Sun King Brewing.

Will your submitted names have what it takes to join former winners? Past winners include 20-Sided Rye, Drink on and Prosper Aler, Froth of Khan, Flagon Slayer, and Ale of Destiny.

Help the Sun King and Gen Con teams come up with the perfect name for this year’s beer, and you can win the Grand Prize of two (2) complimentary badges to your choice of Gen Con 50 or Gen Con 2018. PLUS- $100 in Sun King Brewing Gift Cards and an official Sun King t-shirt. You’ll have a lifetime of bragging rights and will be able to buy a can of a beer that you named. This contest is only available to US residents, ages 21+. Additional rules can be found at the contest link.

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